Rochester's John Rigazio dies: Outspoken individual who twice ran for president was also former Citizen of the Year

Thursday

Sep 27, 2012 at 3:15 AM

By John Nolanjnolan@fosters.com

ROCHESTER — Retired Rochester businessman and Rochester's 2003 Citizen of the Year John Donald Rigazio, 81, was found dead at his home on Sunrise Drive on Wednesday morning. He had been in declining health with diabetes in recent years.

He will be remembered not only for establishing his successful Signal Street Variety stores, but also for his generosity to multiple nonprofit organizations and causes throughout the city, and for his keen interest in national politics.

He was born in Rochester on Aug. 18, 1931, the middle child of John and Lena Rigazio who were both from Italy. He graduated from Spaulding High School and then served his country in the U.S. Army Infantry.

He was married on Nov. 30, 1957, to Joan Evelyn Ward of Portland, Maine. They had five children together and he leaves seven grandchildren upon his passing. He also leaves one surviving sister, June Tanguay of Somersworth

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, in naming him its Citizen of the Year in 2003, noted that "as an active member of St. Mary's Church, he has made significant contributions. Since the church bingo began in 1998, John donated all the soda and chips. When the church had a New Year's Eve Bingo and wanted to have a $2,000 prize, John donated $4,000 to make sure it was successful.

"During the holiday season, John would purchase tickets from the Rochester Opera House for the children's shows and donate them to the children's home so all the children could attend. Rochester City Welfare sets up a tree at Christmas for families in need. John would empty the tree at least once, if not twice, and donate the gifts for the families. At school time, John would shop and donate backpacks, supplies and clothes to needy children.

"John has made many donations to help the children at School Street School. He donated a stove, refrigerator and a piano for the cafeteria. He has also donated to the Strafford County YMCA to send children to camp.

"John is also a generous supporter to the American Red Cross, Your VNA, Rochester Jaycees, Knights of Columbus, Lilac Family Fun Festival, Rotary Golf Tournament and the Night before the Fourth celebration. He supports Roger Allen Baseball. He is a member of the Rochester Elks Lodge, Rochester Rotary Club and Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce."

Speaking on Wednesday morning, upon hearing the news of John Rigazio's death, Chamber President Laura Ring said, "John was a long-standing member of the business community and he will most certainly be missed. He was outstandingly generous to organizations and to members of the community."

His interest in political matters was shown in his newspaper columns which he titled "National Politics is Everybody's Business" and he published a collection of them in book form.

On two occasions he ran in the New Hampshire presidential primary, not with a hope of winning, but to publicize his strongly held view that the United States should pull out of, or renegotiate the NAFTA and WTO treaties in order to save the country's manufacturing jobs. He was a regular letter-to-the-editor writer, and his last letter, published in the Rochester Times on Sept. 20 expressed this concern.

He was a regular attendee of his Spaulding High School Class reunions, having graduated in 1949, and was present at the latest get-together earlier this month at Granite Steak and Grill.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary's Church at a time yet to be announced.

He requests that any donations in his memory be made to Gerry's Food Pantry, 150 Wakefield St., Rochester, NH 03867.